Katie Noonan

Katie Noonan
Katie Noonan at Woodford Folk Festival 2010–11
Background information
Birth name	Katie Anne Noonan
Born	2 May 1977
Origin	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres	Alternative, jazz, opera
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Festival Mushroom Records
Associated acts	george, Elixir, Maggie Noonan, Tyrone Noonan, Sia Furler, Tim Finn, Josh Pyke, Garage Days, David McCormack, Andrew Lancaster, Pound System, Katalyst, Passenger

Katie Anne Noonan^[1] (born 2 May 1977) is an Australian singer-songwriter. In addition to a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance, she sings in the groups george and Elixir; performs with her mother Maggie Noonan; and, as of 2010, plays with her band The Captains.^[2]

Early life

Noonan grew up with a strong background in classical music, with her mother Maggie being a well-known opera singer. She studied opera and jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium.^[3]

Career

george

see also george

After graduation, Noonan began fronting the pop-rock group george, along with her brother Tyrone Noonan. Noonan founded george with her brother, with whom she shares lead vocals, in 1996 to enter a university music competition. After a series of successful independently released EPs, they signed to Festival Mushroom Records and released the debut album Polyserena in 2002, which debuted in the number 1 position on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) albums chart.^[4] george won the Breakthrough Artist ARIA award in 2002 and performed the song "Breathe in Now" at the award ceremony.

Elixir

see also Elixir

Katie Noonan performs with Elixir at the Woodford Folk Festival, 29 December 2011

Noonan founded the jazz trio Elixir in 1997, which released their debut self-titled album in 2003. Elixir's second album First Seed Ripening was released on 5 August 2011.^[5] It won the 2011 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album.

2004: Katie and Maggie Noonan

Noonan released an album of jazz and operatic duets with her mother in 2004. Entitled Two of a Kind, the album was released by the ABC Classics label.^[6]

In 2004, Katie guest appeared at the Lord Of The Rings Symphony. Reviewer Murray Black said; “The undoubted highlight of the evening was guest vocalist Katie Noonan. Here is a rare talent with a voice of extraordinary beauty and versatility. In most of her solos, she sounded like a classical soprano as she soared over the orchestra with a spine-tingling, vibrato-less angelic purity. Then, in Gollum’s Song and the Oscar-winning Into the West, she revealed her pop diva credentials with her strong, clear voice projecting effortlessly out in the audience.” ^[7]

2005: Before Time Could Change Us and Broad

Paul Grabowsky and Noonan teamed up for the jazz cycle Before Time Could Change Us. Consisting of words written by Dorothy Porter, the album tracks "the mysterious shifts and changes of a relationship."^[8] The album won the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album.

Later in 2005, Noonan was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the Broad Festival project—together with three other Australian female artists they performed their own and each other's songs.^[9] Sara Storer, Ruby Hunter and Clare Bowditch were the other female artists.^[10]

2007: Skin and Second Skin

Noonan recorded a solo album entitled Skin at Sydney's Linear Recording in 2006. Produced by Andrew Klippel, Skin was released on 11 August 2007, and debuted at number 6 on the ARIA 'Top 50' album charts and number 1 on the Australian ARIA 'Top 20' album chart. The debut single "Time To Begin" debuted at number 30 on the ARIA Top 50.

Following the success of the remix of "Time To Begin", Noonan collaborated with John Course and Mr Timothy. The collaboration involved the re-recording of Noonan's vocal tracks and a dance version of her solo album was released under the title Second Skin.

On 22 February 2008, Noonan was a support act for Cyndi Lauper at King's Park Botanic Gardens, Perth, Western Australia, and was invited on stage by Lauper to sing along to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". Also in 2008, Noonan was featured as the vocalist in Telstra's "I Am Australian" series of advertisements.^[11]

2008: Blackbird: The Music Of Lennon And McCartney

Noonan released a jazz album of Lennon and McCartney cover versions in 2008 entitled Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney.^[12]

2010: Katie Noonan and The Captains: Emperor's Box

The Katie Noonan and the Captains album Emperor's Box was created over a three-year period and is Noonan's second release for Sony Music. Noonan wrote all of the songs and collaborated with the following artists during the recording of the album: Tim Finn (Split Enz), Sia Furler, Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Josh Pyke and Australian writer/poet Tom Shapcott. The album was co-produced by Noonan and Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Stone Temple Pilots, Powderfinger).^[2] It was preceded by the single "Page One" released in February.

2011-12: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp: Songs from the British Isles and Songs of the Southern Skies

In 2011, Noonan collaborated with Karin Schaupp and toured Songs from the British Isles. An ep was released available only from Noonan's website. In 2012, the two recorded Songs of the Southern Skies. The album was nominated for two ARIA Awards at the 2012 ceremony.

2013: Songbook and Fierce Hearts

In 2013, Noonan released Songbook, an album that saw Noonan re-recording songs from her time in george and Elixir. She also worked with the Sydney Dance Company on the production; Les Illuminations.^[13]

2014: Fierce Hearts

In 2014, she released Fierce Hearts which was nominated for an ARIA Award at the 2014 ceremony. it was music along side a contemporary circus show by Circa.

2015: Transmutant

In 2015, Noonan released Transmutant through Universal Music Australia. The album peaked at number 33 on the ARIA Charts.

2016: With Love and Fury

In 2016, Noonan collaborated with Brodsky Quartet and released With Love and Fury in April. They toured Australia throughout April and May.

Other activities

A National Office for Live Music was launched by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in July 2013 and, as of August 2013, Noonan is the state ambassador for Queensland.^[14]

In 2013, Noonan combined with the Sydney Dance Company and musicians from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductor Richard Gill to perform Britten's song cycle Les Illuminations at Sydney's City Recital Hall Angel Place.^[15] This production was taken in 2014 to Brisbane's QPAC with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under Johannes Fritzsch.^[16]

Noonan will be the official ambassador to the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2014.^[17]

Personal life

Noonan is married to Isaac Hurren, her longtime partner and collaborator in Elixir. They are parents to two sons.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	ARIA Awards	Notes
		AUS [18]
Two of a Kind Katie and Maggie Noonan[19]	Released: 5 April 2004 Label: ABC Music Formats: CD, digital download	61 [20]		No.2 on the ARIA Classical Chart No. 16 on the ARIA Australian Artist Chart
Before Time Could Change Us Paul Grabowsky and Kate Noonan[21]	Released: 15 August 2005 Label: Paul Grabowsky & Katie Noonan Formats: digital download	65 [22]	(won) ARIA Music Awards of 2005 - 'Best Jazz Album' [23]	No.3 on the ARIA Jazz Chart
Skin	Released: 13 August 2007 Label: Mushroom Records, Warner Music Australia Formats: CD, digital download	6		48 on the ARIA Australian Artists End of Year Chart (2007) [24] Includes the top 30 single "Time to Begin"
Second Skin John Course & mrTimothy present Katie Noonan	Released: 21 April 2008 Label: Warner Music Australia Formats: CD, digital download	-		A remix project from the album Skin. No. 19 on ARIA Dance Chart.[25]
Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney	Released: 27 October 2008 Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download	43	(won) ARIA Music Awards of 2009 - 'Best Jazz Album' [23]	7 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2008)[26] 11 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2009)[27] 32 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2010)[28]
Emperor's Box Katie Noonan and The Captains	Released: April 2010 Label: Sony Music Australia Formats: CD, digital download	21
First Seed Ripening[29] (Elixir featuring Katie Noonan)	Released: 8 August 2011 Label: ABC Music Formats: CD, digital download	64 [30]	(won) ARIA Music Awards of 2011 'Best Jazz album'[31]	Elixir is a band Noonan co-founded in 1997. This album is credited as 'featuring' Katie Noonan'. Number 1 on the Jazz and Blues chart.
Songs from the British Isles	Released: 2011 Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp Formats: digital download	-		a covers album of British songs available only from Noonan's website
Songs of the Southern Skies[32] (Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp)	Released: 17 August 2012 Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp Formats: CD, digital download	-	(nomination) ARIA Music Awards of 2012 'Best Adult Contemporary'[33] and 'Best Independent Release'[34]	a covers album of Australian/New Zealand songs Number 3 on the ARIA Classical chart. Number 97 on the ARIA physical chart.[35]
Songbook[36]	Released: 13 January 2013 Label: KIN Music Formats: CD, digital download	-
Fierce Hearts (The Music Of Love - Song - Circus)	Released: 28 February 2014 Label: KIN Music Formats: CD, digital download	21	(nomination)ARIA Music Awards of 2014 'Best Soundtrack/Cast album'[37]	Music from the circus group, Circa
Songs That Made Me Katie Noonan and Various Artists	Released: 17 October 2014 Label: Kin Music Formats: CD, digital download	-		Katie Noonan and friends Number 7 on the ARIA compilation chart[38]
Transmutant Katie Noonan's Vanguard	Released: 24 July 2015 Label: Universal Music Australia Formats: CD, digital download	33
With Love and Fury Brodsky Quartet and Katie Noon	Released: 19 April 2016 Label:KIN Music Formats: CD, digital download	-

• See also George (band)
• See also Elixir

References

1. ""Homebrew" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 13 April 2009.
2. "Biography". Katie Noonan. Katie Noonan. August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
3. "Elixir featuring Katie Noonan" by Jeanti St Clair, ABC North Coast NSW, 30 September 2011
4. Jo Roberts (19 April 2002). "Bach's Bastard Son". The Age. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
5. http://auspop.blogspot.com/2011/06/katies-ripe-new-elixir.html
6. Dennis Martin (29 January 2009). "Maggie and Katie Noonan". ABC Local. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
7. "Katie Nooan - Enhance Entertainment". enhancentertainment.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
8. Michael Dwyer (24 November 2005). "Katie Noonan and Paul Grabowsky". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
9. Elliott, Tim (19 August 2008). "Lady's Night at the Beckoning Microphone". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 5 June 2011.
10. "Broad 2005". Broad Festival. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
11. Telstra "I Am Australian" Ad campaign featuring Katie Noonan on YouTube
12. "Katie Noonan – Blackbird: The Music Of Lennon And McCartney". Katie Noonan on Discogs. Discogs. 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
13. "Les Illuminations with Sydney Dance Company". katienoonan.com. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
14. Paul Cashmere (28 July 2013). "Kevin Rudd Announces Announces National Office For Live Music". Noise11. Noise11. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
15. Discover Britten with Katie Noonan, performance details, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
16. Performance details, QPAC
17. 5 Minutes With Katie Noonan, Adelaide Fringe
18. Hung, Steffen. "Discography Katie Noonan". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
19. "Two of a Kind". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
20. "Week Commencing 10th May 2004 ~Issue #741" (PDF). http://pandora.nla.gov.au. 10 May 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2016. External link in |publisher= (help)
21. "Before Time Could Change Us". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
22. "ARIA Report week commencing 22 August 2005 - issue 808" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
23. "ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
24. "2008 ARIA AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS ALBUMS CHART". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
25. "ARIA Chart Report issue 948" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
26. "2008 ARIA JAZZ & BLUES ALBUMS CHART". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
27. "2009 ARIA JAZZ & BLUES ALBUMS CHART". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
28. "2010 ARIA JAZZ & BLUES ALBUMS CHART". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
29. "First Seed Ripening - Elixer featuring Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
30. "The ARIA Report Week Commencing ~ 15 August 2011 ~ Issue #1120" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
31. "ARIA Awards - Best Jazz album". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
32. "Song of the Southern Skies by Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
33. "ARIA Awards - Best Adult Contemporary". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
34. "ARIA Awards - Best Independent Release". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
35. "ARIA Report Week Commencing 27th August 2012" (PDF). pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
36. "Songbook by Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
37. "ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack Cast Show Album". www.ariaawards.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
38. "ARIA Report Week Commencing ~ 27 October 2014 ~ Issue #1287" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.

External links

• Official website
• Katie Noonan at the Internet Movie Database